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The Noble Newfoundland
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Maizy & Caleb - working 'greeters' at Liberty Jewelry Mfg Co.,Timonium, MD
So you're thinking about getting a Newfie, eh? Well, in this blogger's opinion, you couldn't choose a dog with a better temperament. These dogs are truly great! They are gentle, kind, loyal, and extremely loving. But these big hearts come in an equally large package - they are truly giant dogs. The typically larger males can easily reach 120 to 140 lbs and sometimes significantly more. (I once fostered a 185-lb male Newfie aptly named Thor.)
The Newfie's history is that of a workhorse. The exact genetic lines of the breed are indeterminate but his purpose was clear. He was bred to do hauling and heavy labor, especially in water. The Newfies's natural instinct for rescue lends him to water rescue work but his agreeable temperament and innate strength render him ideal for yet many more roles including tracking police work, drafting, carting, and obedience work. I was once told by a Service Dog Administrator that if it weren't for their overwhelming bulk, they would make ideal Seeing Eye Dogs as well.
Other factors to consider about the Newfie
Because they were bred to swim and work in ocean currents, they have suitably dense double-coats that shed water. While ideal for an active working dog in the field, at home this translates to a high maintenance coat for the owner. The Newfoundland's hair is not prone to matting but it sheds excessively in summer and fall months. Newfies also have a tendency to drool. This is in no small part due to the anatomy of their mouth - their downward-sloping lips and jowls were designed to facilitate continued air passage whilst partially submerged in water. Lastly, as with a lot of big breed dogs, they have a predilection for specific bone disorders and serious heart problems. Even though it's impossible to truly guarantee a dog's future health, you can minimize the likelihood of encountering such issues by choosing the breeder well, asking the right questions, feeding and exercising him properly, and even acquiring canine health insurance from the very start.
Knowing the basics of this breed now, you should seriously ponder if he would make an ideal match for you. Even though the breed is generally laid-back, remember that they are still large, powerful dogs who were bred to WORK. This is of paramount importance when considering this breed. These are not apartment or townhouse dogs. They need space as well as consistent and appropriate exercise. They are naturally exceptional swimmers (due to their webbed paws) and truly enjoy being in the water so if you live near water or have access to a dog-friendly pool, you just might have the foundation for a Newfie paradise. Daily swimming or recreational draft/carting work is ideal for these dogs. And they are truly social dogs so if you can pair their 'work' or exercise with social interaction (i.e. a local Draft club for Newfies), you will have a happy Newfie. Equally important factors to consider are your physical strength, time, and finances; Newfies are strong dogs and though seldom stubborn, restraining or leash walking a bounding Newfie requires physical endurance. The activities necessary to sufficiently exercise a Newfie and keep him healthy require more time than the average single mom of two, per se, can spare. And lastly, big dogs generally eat a lot of food, require bigger toys, a lot more treats, have higher boarding expenses, and higher veterinary expenses. Keep all this in mind when considering this gentle giant. If you decide that he is a good fit afterall, I am very certain you will thoroughly delight in this magnificent breed.
[If you're already a Newfie owner and would like to add your comments or pictures to this article, please send them to me at canine.companion@yahoo.com !]
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